All posts by Associate Editor

Daisy Farish Awarded Overall Small Pony Hunter Grand Championship at 2011 USEF Pony Finals

Daisy Farish and Ballou (Photo: Shawn McMillen).

Lexington, KY – Another cool summer day greeted exhibitors for the 2011 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Pony Finals at the beautiful Kentucky Horse Park. The Large Pony Hunters took center stage in the Walnut Ring this morning as they completed their Model and Under Saddle phases, where Meredith Darst and For the Laughter took home both blue ribbons. The Small Pony Hunter Over Fences were next, and at the end of the day Daisy Farish and Ballou earned the Overall Small Pony Hunter Grand Championship with their consistency throughout the division. Finally, in the Covered Arena, riders participated in the USEF National Pony Jumper Team Championship.

“Third time is the charm” proved to be the lucky phrase for today’s winning combination in the Small Pony Hunters. This is Daisy Farish’s third year competing at Pony Finals and it proved to be the best. Farish and Ballou, owned by Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL, took home the Overall Small Pony Hunter Championship, presented by Sallee Horse Vans, and the Professional Horseman’s Association of America Perpetual Trophy. The duo was ranked eighth going into today’s Over Fences phase, and with scores of 84.7, 83.25, and 87 they scored the third-place award, jumping to the top of the leaderboard and earning the coveted title.

“I have been riding Ballou for about three years,” explained 10-year-old Farish, who trains with Scott Stewart. “He jumps really well and he is very easy to find the distance on, he’s very smooth. I rode him at Pony Finals before, but we weren’t as good as this year. We have been coming to Pony Finals for about three years and I felt ready this year. I chose to show Ballou because I have ridden him for a long time and have a good relationship with him. Ballou has shown a lot, so it helps me to stay confident. He also has a really sweet barn personality; he is very sweet and he loves apples.”

The winner of today’s Small Pony Hunter Over Fences phase was also the division’s reserve champion. Bergen Sanderford and First Edition, owned by Katie Dinan LLC of New York, NY, received scores of 87, 85.25, and 85.25 to take home the blue ribbon prize as well as the Overall Small Pony Hunter Reserve Grand Champion title. The second-place finisher during the Over Fences was last year’s champion mount, Elation, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, VA, who was ridden by McKayla Langmeier. The pair earned scores of 86, 83, and 86 for their beautiful round.

Continue reading Daisy Farish Awarded Overall Small Pony Hunter Grand Championship at 2011 USEF Pony Finals

OVATION Leading Rider Awards Announced for 2011 Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival

Erin Haas and Kimberly Seay. Photo: Randi Muster

Traverse City, MI – August 12, 2011 – Horse Sports by the Bay, Inc. is pleased to announce that the following riders achieved OVATION Leading Rider Status during the 2011 Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival this summer at Flintfields Horse Park in scenic Traverse City, MI.

Courtesy of Gold Sponsor English Riding Supply, recipients received a $500 gift certificate, allowing them free rein with the 2011 English Riding Supply equestrian apparel and equipment catalog. Riders who earned this coveted award scored the highest total number of points in their respective section from all four weeks of recent competition.

English Riding Supply, located in Scranton, PA, represents the world’s greatest brands including OVATION, Veredus, Pessoa, and Mountain Horse, all of which are endorsed by the country’s most elite equestrian athletes.

The 2011 winners are:

Kelley Farmer, Professional Hunter Rider
Wilhelm Genn, Professional Jumper Rider
Carson Gibson, Junior Hunter Rider
Weatherly Stroh, Amateur-Owner Hunter Rider
Maddie Darst, Pony Hunter Rider
Paige Matthies, Children’s Hunter Rider
Sue Hehl, Adult Hunter Rider
Erin Haas, High JR/AO Jumper Rider (pictured)
Kimberly Seay, Low JR/AO Jumper Rider (pictured)
Lauren Keck, Adult Jumper Rider
Kady Abrahamson, Children’s Jumper Rider
Meehan Shirey, Equitation Rider

For complete results of the 2011 Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival at Flintfields Horse Park, please visit www.horseshowsbythebay.com or www.horseshowing.com.

For more information on English Riding Supply please visit www.englishridingsupply.com.

Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com

Wellington Classic Dressage Event

Wellington Classic Dressage is gearing up for the 2012 show season at the beautiful Palm Beach County Jim Brandon Equestrian Center and major improvements to the Center will mean that no matter the weather, the show can go on.

The Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, one of Palm Beach County’s Parks and Recreation facilities, has been host to Dressage and other equestrian events for the past six years. The facility has undergone major improvements this summer including landscaping and beautification, but also what matters most to dressage riders – footing. The FEI rings and warm-ups have new footing and an additional $100,000 was spent on a state-of-the-art drainage system in the show arenas and barns.

The new footing is courtesy of Wellington Classic Dressage, said Joan Hutchinson, facility manager for the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. “And we’re grateful for that,” she said. “Those footing improvements were paid for by Wellington Classic and yet it benefits everyone, not just dressage riders.”

The new drainage system was covered by Palm Beach County and Hutchinson said that while it’s one of those vitally important improvements it’s also not one that is easily noticed. “When it floods, people notice that, but the idea here is that neither the rings nor the barn will flood and people don’t usually notice an improvement that’s good.” Noreen O’Sullivan, Managing Partner for Wellington Classic and President of Gold Coast Dressage Association (a 501 (c)(3), not-for-profit), agrees, adding, “Florida is in a tropical climate and is subject to heavy rainstorms at times, so although we can’t control the weather, it’s great that we have such a great system in place.” Wellington Classic and Gold Coast Dressage hosts shows year-round at Jim Brandon.

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Champion Leading Spirit Gets His AQHA Supreme Race Horse Title

The Q-Racing Journal, August 12, 2011 – Champion Leading Spirit earned his AQHA Supreme Race Horse award in 2008, although due to a clerical error, he was only recently awarded his trophy. The honor is given by AQHA to a horse that during its racing career earns $500,000 or more and wins at least 10 races, including two or more open Grade 1 stakes races.

Leading Spirit is a 2003 gelding by Special Leader out of the Special Task mare Sandras Task.

Bred by Dr. Barry Thompson of West, Texas, he is co-owned by Thompson and Dan and Jolene Urschel.

Leading Spirit won 10 of 19 starts, finished second three times and third four times, with earnings of $811,413 in a career that spanned 2005-2008.

The 2005 champion 2-year-old gelding won five stakes, including the Grade 1 West Texas, Ruidoso and Rainbow futurities. He also won the 2007 First Down Dash Handicap (G3) and 2008 Bank of America California Championship Challenge (G2).

Leading Spirit also finished second in the 2007 Go Man Go Handicap (G1) and 2008 Independence Day Handicap (G3). He was third in the 2007 California Championship Challenge (G2) and Z. Wayne Griffin Director’s Stakes, and was a finalist in the 2007 Los Alamitos Invitational Championship (G1).

The Supreme Race Horse award is recorded by hand, and Leading Spirit’s award was overlooked. AQHA apologizes to Dr. Thompson, the Urschels and Leading Spirit’s connections for the oversight.

American Quarter Horse Association
1600 Quarter Horse Drive
Amarillo, TX 79104

News from the 5th Annual StemTech Convention

Merritt Island, FL (August 11, 2011) – It was a very informative annual convention in sunny Irvine, California this past weekend.  Because of the importance, I will start off with the best news of the entire convention!

REGULATORY SUCCESS!  It finally happened … the FDA came knocking on StemTech’s doors this year via the Electronic Retailer’s Association, and we passed with flying colors!  StemTech’s Products, including our favorite – STEMEQUINE – actually do what they say they do by stimulating the release of the minimum of 3 to 4 million additional adult stem cells from the bone marrow that go out and repair the body.

StemTech products are processed by Vita-Tech, the nutritional manufacturing company founded and pharmaceutically licensed since 1954.  Vita-Tech is known for providing a level of quality and attention to detail that exceeds the requirements of many regulatory agencies, including the FDA.  Every ingredient and step of the production process is validated and verified in Vita-Tech’s on-site laboratories, with historical samples and complete documentation archived for each batch.  Having been to the plant myself, I am very impressed with their extensive operation.  The hairnets we were required to wear while touring the plant were very flattering!

As horse owners, we take care of our horses, making sure they are well-groomed, well-feed and have a nice pasture and stall to call home.  What about you?  Being out in the hot sun all day, driving throughout the state or flying to get from one place to another can cause your skin to bear the brunt of all those free radicals and elements out there.  Now’s the time to take care of you!

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Chester Weber Named Chef d’Equipe for United States Pair and Pony Pair Teams

Chester Weber competing at the 2011 CAI Riesenbeck. Weber was named Chef d’Equipe for the US Pony and Pair Driving Teams. (Photo courtesy of My Elisabeth Weber)

Ocala, FL (August 12, 2011) – Chester Weber’s contributions to the sport of Combined Driving are many and recently Weber’s expertise was recognized again when he was named the Chef d’Equipe of the US Pair and Pony Teams.  Weber served as Chef d’Equipe for the Pony Teams in 2007 and 2009, and this will be his first time as Chef d’Equipe for the Pair Team.  He was nominated for the Chef d’Equipe position by the Pair and Pony Team sub committees and chosen by the Driving High Performance committee.  Weber recently returned from competing in Europe, where he racked up an impressive round of wins.  While overseas, he was mentored by Ed Young, Chef d’Equipe for the US Four-in-Hand teams.

“I have been working with Ed Young since 2006 and am pleased that he could support both me and all of the US drivers in Europe,” said Weber.  “Our pair drivers just drove their first Nations Cup show in preparation for the World Pair Championships in Conty, France at the end of August.  I will be the Chef d’Equipe at that show and at the World Pony Driving Championships in Lipica, Slovenia in September.  Ed is also the vice chair of the High Performance Committee and has been a great resource for me.”

Weber has been working with Team Coach Michael Freund since 1998, and they will do their part to help the US Pair and Pony Teams reach the medal podium.  Weber’s marked enthusiasm for the sport and eighteen years of experience will no doubt give this year’s pony and pair teams an edge.  The pair team has no previous international championship experience, and while they are all seasoned equestrians in their own right, having the knowledge and leadership of a seasoned international competitor will boost their odds.

Continue reading Chester Weber Named Chef d’Equipe for United States Pair and Pony Pair Teams

Meredith Darst Scores Overall Medium Pony Hunter Grand Championship at 2011 USEF Pony Finals

Meredith Darst and Enchanted Forrest. Photo by Shawn McMillen

Lexington, KY – It was a sunny and warm at the Kentucky Horse Park for the third day of the 2011 United States Equestrian Federation Pony Finals. The day began in the Walnut Ring with the Small Pony Hunter Model and Under Saddle phases. The Medium Pony Hunter Over Fences were up next, and after three days of competition the Overall Medium Pony Hunter Grand Championship was awarded to Meredith Darst for her ride aboard Enchanted Forrest. The final event of the day was the Pony Jumper Welcome Class and first qualifier for the Individual medals, which was held in the Covered Arena this evening.

Meredith Darst and Enchanted Forrest, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, VA, have had a fantastic week in the Medium Pony Hunter division. They held the lead going into the final phase, and with scores of 86.9, 87 and 87, the duo garnered the top call over fences. Darst and Enchanted Forrest’s efforts eventually earned them the Overall Medium Pony Hunter Grand Championship and the Beagle Brook Farm Perpetual Trophy, donated by Jennifer Miller and Beagle Brook Farm in honor of “Special Effects.” All of this week’s USEF National Hunter Pony Championships are presented by Sallee Horse Vans.

“I began riding Enchanted Forrest at the beginning of WEF, and I really like the under saddle and over fences phases with him,” noted Darst. “He is really quiet and has a really big stride, so you can go pretty slow, but you need to have impulsion and keep him in front of your leg. He moves really well and jumps over fences smoothly.”

Darst added, “It’s great to do well at Pony Finals because it validates all of our hard work during the year. It is one of my favorite competitions, and I like that it is on different days, so I do not have to run around as much; I like the separation of the classes.”

Continue reading Meredith Darst Scores Overall Medium Pony Hunter Grand Championship at 2011 USEF Pony Finals

FEI European Pony Championships 2011, Jaszkowo (POL)

BRITISH, GERMANS AND FRENCH DOMINATE IN POLAND by Louise Parkes

The gold medal winning British Jumping team at the FEI European Pony Championships 2011 in Jaszkowo (POL) - L to R - Graham Babes, Jessica Mendoza, Amy Inglis and Beth Vernon. FEI/Helen Revington.

Lausanne (SUI), 12 August 2011 – British riders took team and individual Jumping gold, Germany claimed two of the three Dressage titles, and France dominated the Eventing competitions at the FEI European Pony Championships 2011 staged at Jaszkowo, Poland from 26 to 31 July.

JUMPING
The Jumping team Championship was an exciting and close-fought affair, with just one fault separating the victorious British from the fighting Irish at the end of the day, while the Dutch were much further adrift when claiming bronze.  The British had the whip hand after the first round with clears from all four riders, and the Irish were five faults in arrears while having to count a single time penalty from Max O’Reilly-Hyland (Rock Dee Jay), and an additional four faults when both Michael Duffy (Kadia Mouche) and anchor Emma O’Dwyer (Jacknell Street) left one on the floor.

But British pathfinder Amy Inglis (Nils D Hurl Vent) picked up 12 faults second time out, and although second-line rider Beth Vernon (Falaza) completed a double-clear, both Graham Babes (Dollar Girl) and Jessica Mendoza (Tixylix) made a single mistake to bring their tally to eight.  Bertram Allen had opened the Irish account with a first-round clear from Acapella Z, but this time they returned with four faults on the board, and despite great second-round clears from both O’Reilly-Hyland and O’Dwyer, they were obliged to count four more when Duffy also made a single error.  That single first-round time fault from O’Reilly-Hyland proved expensive in the final analysis.

The Dutch meanwhile rocketed up from sixth at the halfway stage to take the bronze. Jens Van Grunsven, nephew of dressage legend Anky Van Grunsven (Indorado), recovered from a 12-fault opening round to go clear second time out, Amber Fijen (Winning Mood) picked up five in round one and four next time out, Leon Tine Bruin (Scapa SB) made just a single mistake in round one but collected 17 on his return to the arena and Megan Laseur (Ensilla) followed a five-fault first effort with a clear to leave The Netherlands with a total of 18 faults.

Continue reading FEI European Pony Championships 2011, Jaszkowo (POL)

Kincannon and Conroy Guide Alltech National Horse Show’s Kentucky Debut

ANHS mgt team, Bobby Murphy, Robby Murphy, Hugh Kincannon, Ellen Veitch and J. P. Bordeleau. Photo: © Kenneth Kraus/ PhelpsSports.com.

Lexington, KY – August 11, 2012 – When the Alltech National Horse Show makes it Kentucky debut in November, the first class production will be under the direction of one of the nation’s most trusted and experienced managements teams.

The Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition, will be held from November 2-6, 2011, at the beautiful, new Alltech Indoor Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. This year’s debut event is designated a CSI4*-W and the featured class, the $250,000 Alltech National Horse Show Grand Prix, will be a 2011/2012 FEI World Cup qualifying event. The ASPCA Maclay National Championships will take center stage on the final Sunday of the show.

Leading the production and heading up the management team are Co-Managers Hugh Kincannon and Leo Conroy.

Hugh Kincannon’s management resume is an impressive one.

Kincannon’s talents were evident early on in his career, as he developed a highly successful series of horse shows at his farm just outside of Cleveland, and then additional events in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1982, he joined forces with the Murphy family at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Since then, he and his team have been producing top rated USEF horse shows at the Kentucky Horse Park for over three decades. His spring and summer series of shows are always near sell-outs and are among the most popular and respected horse shows in the United States.

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It’s a Silver Anniversary for FEI European Dressage Championships, but Who Will Take the Gold?

Lausanne (SUI), 11 August 2011 – The FEI European Dressage Championships 2011 will celebrate 25 years of spectacular sport as the action gets underway at the Kralingse Bos arena in Rotterdam (NED) next Wednesday morning.  The world of Dressage has undergone significant change since Switzerland’s Henri Chammartin and Wolfdietrich won the first Individual title in Copenhagen (DEN) IN 1963, and while only 16 riders from eight nations lined out in that inaugural fixture, participation is at an all-time high this time around with 66 competitors from 21 nations and a total of 16 teams vying for the coveted medals.

Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Great Britain, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Switzerland, Sweden and the Ukraine will all be represented in what promises to be an epic battle over four tough days of competition beginning on 17 August.

INCREASINGLY COMPETITIVE
The FEI European Dressage Championships, as we know them today, emerged from the FEI Grand Prix events that date right back to 1927 and which became increasingly competitive throughout the 1950s.  The winners were often referred to as European Champions, so it came as no surprise when Chammartin, FEI Grand Prix champion in 1955, 1958 and again in 1959, claimed gold at the first official FEI European Dressage Championship four years later. In fact he was a double-medallist in 1963, also taking bronze with his second ride Woerman while Germany’s Harry Boldt and Remus finished in silver-medal position.

Two years further on, in 1965, the first Team Championship took place in which the three Dressage powers of the time – Germany, Switzerland and the Soviet Union – finished in that order while Chammartin won his second Individual title.  The great Swiss rider, who recently passed away at the age of 92, also competed in five consecutive Olympic Games between 1952 and 1968 and collected five Olympic medals including gold in Tokyo in 1964.

Continue reading It’s a Silver Anniversary for FEI European Dressage Championships, but Who Will Take the Gold?